History of Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento
Founded in 1834, Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is one of Sorrento’s landmark luxury hotels. Still owned by the Fiorentino family, the hotel stands above the port on a site linked to Roman history, with a heritage shaped by the Grand Tour, royal guests, artists, musicians, and film legends.
Founded in Sorrento
One of the best-known historic hotels in Sorrento, welcoming travellers since the early 19th century.
Generations of the Fiorentino Family
A rare continuity in luxury hospitality, with family stewardship preserving the hotel’s identity and archives.
Historic Site Above the Marina
Set above Marina Piccola, on a site associated with Roman heritage and the story of Emperor Augustus.
A Historic Luxury Hotel in Sorrento, Still Family-Owned
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is not simply a place to stay in Sorrento. It is a living part of the town’s story: a family-owned grand hotel with roots in the 1800s, overlooking the Bay of Naples, shaped by archaeology, travel, music, cinema, and generations of guests seeking beauty, privacy, and timeless Italian hospitality.
The hotel was founded in 1834,
has been run by the Fiorentino family for five generations, stands in a location tied to
Roman history, and became part of the cultural life of the Grand Tour.
Over the years, in its long history, it has welcomed monarchs, politicians, artists and celebrities, who loved the charming and the mild climate of the Amalfi Coast.
Among the others, Richard Wagner, Enrico Caruso, Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe, Luciano Pavarotti, Sophia Loren and Lucio Dalla have all appreciated the hotel's elegance and its attentive service.
History in brief
- Founded in 1834 in the heart of Sorrento
- Owned and preserved by the Fiorentino family for five generations
- Built on a site associated with Roman remains and the legacy of Emperor Augustus
- Part of the world of the Grand Tour and aristocratic travel in southern Italy
- Home to stories connected to music, cinema, and iconic guests
From our archives
Historical notes on this page are based on family archives, guest registers, restoration records, and the long-standing heritage of Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento.
Timeline of Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria
-
Roman Origins
The Site and the Story of Augustus
The hotel stands on a site linked to Roman history. Local tradition and archaeological remains connect this area of Sorrento to an ancient villa associated with Emperor Augustus, giving the property a heritage that predates the hotel itself.
-
1834
The Hotel Is Founded
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is founded in Sorrento, in a commanding position above Marina Piccola, establishing itself as a refined destination for travellers arriving on the Bay of Naples route.
-
19th Century
The Era of the Grand Tour
As Sorrento becomes a stop for international travellers, artists, and aristocrats, the hotel grows into a grand address, part of the cultural geography of the Grand Tour in southern Italy.
-
20th Century
Music, Cinema, and Distinguished Guests
Through the decades, the hotel hosts notable figures from music and film, strengthening its identity not only as a luxury hotel, but also as a stage for cultural life in Sorrento.
-
Enrico Caruso
A Legendary Stay
The story of Enrico Caruso forms part of the hotel’s memory and continues through the Caruso Suite, where history becomes part of the guest experience.
-
Lucio Dalla
A More Recent Chapter
The bond with Lucio Dalla adds another cultural layer to the property’s story, reflected in the Lucio Dalla Suite and in the emotional connection between the artist and Sorrento.
-
Today
A Living Heritage
Today, Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria remains a historic five-star hotel in Sorrento, combining family continuity, careful restoration, gardens, sea views, and suites that keep its past visible.
leaving the hotel for a gala event.
with a view over the gulf of Naples.
visiting Sorrento.
A History You Can Still Experience
A Legacy of Illustrious Guests and Enduring Cultural Memory
At the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, the legacy of its famous guests is deeply woven into the hotel’s cultural identity. Over the years, the hotel has welcomed royalty, statesmen, artists, musicians, and film stars, from Empress Elisabeth of Austria, Otto von Bismarck, Princess Margareth, Queen Victoria of Sweden, King Rama of Thailand and the Prince of Wales, to icons such as Enrico Caruso, Lucio Dalla, Sophia Loren, Luciano Pavarotti, and Jack Lemmon.
Their presence has transformed the hotel into more than a place of hospitality: it is a living repository of memory, where history, art, music, and cinema continue to echo through its suites, halls, and terraces.
Where history lingers, and every stay becomes part of the legend.
The One of a Kind Suites represent an exclusive collection of historic accommodations, each with its own distinctive identity and timeless charm. Some are dedicated to illustrious guests who once stayed at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, while others are inspired by the memory and atmosphere of their remarkable visits.
Rich in history, character, and refined detail, these suites embody the hotel’s enduring legacy, offering a unique stay where heritage, elegance, and storytelling come beautifully together in this authentic Location.
> One of a Kind Suites...A collection of suites as extraordinary as the guests who inspired them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Discover the Hotel Behind the Story
Explore the suites inspired by its most memorable chapters, discover the location above the sea in Sorrento, or book a stay in one of Italy’s most storied luxury hotels.
View Historic SuitesBook Now